#49... check

On GW’s student web portal there is a feature called “101 Things to Do” which is essentially a list of 101 items to accomplish at GW and around DC before you graduate. When I first read the list my freshman year, #49 (Sit on Einstein’s Lap) caught my eye and I’ve been anxious to check this one off the list ever since.

The Einstein Memorial is on Constitution Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets outside the entrance to the National Academy of Sciences. Tourists headed for the Lincoln Memorial or towards the reflecting pool on the Mall often walk right past this fun sculpture which his hidden between the trees. The large sculpture features a seated Einstein working on an equation. It’s a DC must to take a picture with Einstein while you sit on his lap.

The next item to be checked off our “to do” list was #84: Take in the views from the top of the Washington Monument. Tickets for the Monument sell out fast. It’s essential to buy them in advance online so you don’t have stand outside in person for tickets that usually sell out by 8:30am.

Unfortunately it was a rainy day, but after a 60 second ride to the top—the 890-plus stairs were closed, bummer—we were still greeted with amazing views of the city. Out the first window we saw the Lincoln Memorial (my favorite), out the next the Jefferson Memorial, then the Capitol Building, and finally the White House. It was very cool to see L’Enfant’s masterfully planned city from a bird’s eye view.

On the ride down, the elevator slowed at numerous points to reveal the monument’s interior where each of the 50 states has a commemorative stone built into the façade. Some of the states pointed out to us by the Ranger were Alaska, which sent a solid piece of jade and Florida whose Governor in the 1960s thought it would be innovative to send a hunk of plastic. On days when the stairs are not under construction you can walk to the bottom and spend more time looking at the commemorative stones. We wanted to book tickets again for the spring when the skies would be clear and the stairwell would be open. However, the Rangers informed us that tickets are booked through June. Oh well, next time.

I’ve now checked 58 items off the GW’s to do list. It asks me, “Who are you? Big George (our mascot)?”. By the end of the week I’m sure I’ll have checked a few more off the list, and by May I’ll have accomplished #101: Graduate in the city of presidents.

Pictures: Go DC, Day 2